Bipartisan Congressional Group Pens Letter Opposing Local Radio Freedom Act

April 18, 2013

Four members of Congress have penned a bipartisan letter to their peers, urging them not to back the Local Radio Freedom Act, which opposes any potential performance royalty for terrestrial radio. The letter is signed by Darrell Issa (R-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Marsha Blackburn (D-MI) and Melvin Watt (D-CA).

The letter suggests to their colleagues to "Please be careful when considering the so-called Local Radio Freedom Act (H.Con.Res. 16). We believe Congress should have a robust discussion about the mechanisms by which people who make music are compensated for their creative property. Unfortunately, the Local Radio Freedom Act is aimed at preemptively shutting down this important debate so terrestrial broadcasters can continue to profit from the work of musicians without any compensation."

The letter references the recent revenue-sharing deals that Clear Channel has signed and adds that "Today's music business models are far outpacing the regulatory, licensing and royalty governance systems of the past. These structures deserve to be re-evaluated and we should not hinder more private solutions if they help compensate songwriters and artists, who create the music we all enjoy, at fair market value. We urge you to refrain from cosponsoring this resolution because it impedes future debate, it stifles innovation, and it will continue to maintain an unfair playing field."